McCain v. Obama: Competing Visions for America
A Town Hall Discussion of Foreign and Domestic Policy
October 23, 2008 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm, LBJ Library Atrium, 10th Floor
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Dean Steinberg introduced the debate moderators: Veronica Stidvent, director of the Center for Politics and Governance, and James Lindsay, director of the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law. Stidvent introduced the two domestic policy experts, former Congressman and current Barbara Jordan Visiting Professor, Harold Ford, and David J. Schenck, a lawyer with Jones Day. Lindsay introduced the two foreign policy panelists: Lee Feinstein, visiting fellow in Foreign Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution and National Security Director for Hillary Clinton for President, and Tod Lindberg, editor of Policy Review.
Stidvent began the debate by asking Ford and Schenck to respond to Alan Greenspan’s recommendations regarding the stabilization of housing prices. Schenck described Senator McCain’s proposal to divert $300 billion of the bailout to refinance certain loans as an effective means of stabilizing housing prices. Ford, noting that both Senators Obama and McCain voted for the bailout legislation, asserted that Obama, whose plan is to buy into banks and put a moratorium on foreclosures for a period of three months, has taken a consistent stance with regard to the role of the federal government in solving the crisis while McCain has not.
Lindsay asked Feinstein and Lindberg to discuss the importance of restoring America’s reputation abroad. Feinstein claimed that an Obama presidency, which would actively engage both allies and enemies in diplomatic dialogue, would restore U.S. credibility on the world stage. Lindberg described McCain’s leadership experience by recounting his role in an annual international security conference and his advocacy of a bill improving the treatment of enemy combatants. Lindberg further stated that McCain’s support of the surge illustrates his foreign policy acumen.
Turning to energy policy, Stidvent asked Ford to discuss Obama’s proposed windfall profits tax on energy producers. Ford described Obama’s broader plan of investing in renewable energy resources, which contrasts with McCain’s votes in the Senate. Schenck countered by saying that McCain’s votes against renewable energy had to do with his opposition to ethanol. Schenck further argued that McCain does favor investment in clean, renewable energy while also advocating domestic drilling and nuclear power.
On the issue of Iraq, Lindsay asked the panelists to describe the candidate’s proposals. Lindberg and Feinstein stated that both candidates wish to see U.S. troops withdrawn eventually, but they differed on when and how such withdrawal should take place.
After a discussion on immigration, in which Ford stressed Obama’s consistency on the issue while Schenck noted McCain’s reformist stance, the discussion turned to the issue of Russia and China. Feinstein described an Obama presidency as one that would rely on multilateralism to achieve its ends. Lindberg stated that McCain’s willingness to take a firm stance in international disputes lends the U.S. a significant advantage.
The panelists then fielded questions from the audience regarding the installation of a missile defense system in Poland, Supreme Court nominations, and the strengthening of the dollar. The event concluded with Ford and Schenck discussing each of their candidate’s tax proposals and strategies for reducing the national debt.
Dean Steinberg introduced the panelists.
The panelists discussed the candidate's proposals on several key issues.
Harold Ford, Jr., discussed investment in renewable energy sources.
CPG Director Veronica Vargas Stidvent posed a question to the panelists.
Strauss Center Director Jim Lindsay addressed Tod Lindberg.
The panelists spoke to a full house in the LBJ Library Atrium.
The Strauss Center is nonpartisan and takes no institutional position on any issue. All statements of fact and all expressions of opinion at Center events are the sole responsibility of the speaker.
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